With the carbon tax and cost of living increases in recent years, almost half of Canadians no longer view climate change as a top priority.
That’s according to a recent study from the Angus Reid Institute, which shows that the cost of living has replaced climate concerns in the minds of Canadians.
In fact, 22% of Canadians surveyed list climate change among their priorities, compared to 34% in 2021 and 40% in 2019.
The carbon tax is to blame
This conclusion is supported by Canadians’ increasing reluctance to implement the federal carbon tax, which 42% of the population wants to see abolished.
In addition, 17% of the population would temporarily reduce the cost of the carbon tax for the next three years, while 26% of respondents would delay a possible increase and maintain the current tax level.
Only 15% would not change anything, including the amount planned for April.
Since 2019, the popularity of the carbon tax has fallen by 11 points in the polls.
This tax, introduced by the Trudeau government, will come into force in 2019 and provides for fees for traders on the one hand and large industrial companies to account for their emissions on the other. In both cases the carbon price is $65 per ton.
The direct result of this tax is the increase in the price of fossil fuels, i.e. gasoline, natural gas and heating oil.
According to the program, the price of carbon is expected to increase by $15 per year and reach $170 per ton in 2030.
Unlike the rest of Canadians, Quebecers are the only ones with a majority in favor of the carbon tax (59%). Note that this does not apply in the province due to its involvement in carbon exchange.
A similar phenomenon occurs in British Columbia, the only other province that does not impose a carbon tax. This was supported by 45% of survey participants.
In contrast, opposition to the federal regulation is greatest in Alberta (68%) and Saskatchewan (70%), followed by the Atlantic provinces.
Challenges and impacts
The reluctance is compounded by Canadians taking advantage of the government’s promised rebates.
On paper, the program calls for 90% of carbon tax revenues to be returned to households in the form of rebates, while the remaining 10% would be used to finance environmental projects for small businesses, municipalities, schools and indigenous communities .
However, many households report not having received this (25%).
54% of them believe they paid more in carbon taxes than they received in refunds.
This feeling is more pronounced in Alberta (60%) and Saskatchewan (63%).
The survey was conducted between November 10 and November 14, 2023, surveying a sample of 2,512 Canadians.